Congrats to Jukesy. Think in terms of continuity this is definitely the right decision. Jukesy has built this team up over the last few years alongside Rowley and knows exactly where we are up to.

Glad the club has acted quickly, should keep things on track and the playing staff all know where they stand.

It has been a dramatic few days but now it is only a week to go until the season opener. Be nice to focus on some actual rugby for a change. Bring on Batley, see you all at Mount Pleasant on Sunday

I voted for Neil....the sensible choice right now. Good luck Jukesy !!!

Much better than a stranger.

Without doubt the correct appointment. Good luck neil.

Correct decision. Gives us continuity which is very good both as everyone was so pleased with what Paul was doing and as so close to the start of the season after all the preseason the last thing you want is big changes in the ideologies of the head coach. Plus he has the benefit that he knows the players both their individual skills and more importantly what individual players will require from him as head coach. Plus hopefully he'll be able to have a chat with Rowley and get his advice if he should ever need it.

Correct decision, Well done to the club.

Can we derive from this "appointment" that Rowley will be consulting from a far and that they may even intend to bring him back on board, if and when the "personal" issues are resolved?

Possibly. Certainly there is nothing in the comments since Paul left from either Derek, Rowley or Jukesy that speaks of any falling out. Quite the opposite, it seems than things are still quite tight and friendly between Rowley and those still at the club.

Maybe "personal reasons" are just that. If the people directly involved are happy to stay friends and move on then us fans should respect that and do the same.

The king is dead, long live the king etc.

Derek found himself a "Yes man". Wonder if it is in his contract that doesn't get to pick the team?

Boll*cks.

Derek is loud and outspoken. Koukash is loud and outspoken. People seem to think that means that Derek has the same attitude to Rugby League matters as Koukash does. Rowley has always been the one to pick signings and pick the team. Once the coach identifies a player, no doubt in conjunction with Derek, then Beaumont goes out to try and make it happen.

I have heard nothing at all over the past 3 seasons to suggest that Derek is involved in choosing signings or has ever stuck his nose into the dressing room. People seem to see DB and MK as one and the same but in terms of involvement in the day to day business they seem fundamentally different.

The amount of people clambering to try and stick the boot into DB over Rowley's resignation is laughable. I get that people outside Leigh don't like him and I get why. But the interpretation of Derek's involvement in matters directly relating to what happens on the pitch is way off the mark.

Nobody would ever tell Rowley who he is signing or who to pick in his 17. I expect nothing different from Jukesy.

King Degsy just gets bigger and stronger, another puppet who will do as he is told and won't cost any money.They could have given the Job to Atomic or Nozzy at least then there would have been someone telling Derek to BUT OUT on team selections.What you say Hokey?

I wouldn't rule that out! Would be a media sensation come the 8's. Big step up for Neil and only time will tell how he responds to the role and I wish him all success in the role,as we all should.

Wonder if Marshall has it in his contract that he's not allowed to spend anything on players no matter how much central funding he earns for Fax's owner to pocket.

Good appointment - ideal for continuity.

He even has to bring his own coffee to work.



I have made my feelings known on these boards about DB and his previous actions but a lot has to be said about this appointment. Given the way Leigh have gone about signing players it could have been very easy for DB to go out and try and get himself a big name coach but I think its quite a smart move doing what he has done.

Agree with you, a lot has been said about some of the egos and problems some of our players have had at other clubs, while I had no doubt Rowley would have seen them all right & got the best out of them another big name coach wanting to come in & shake things up I don't think would have been a good idea when working with Rowley is one thing all our signings highlighted as a reason for coming to Leigh.

Cmon Atomic ,if Rowley couldn't handle King Degsy, what chance has Mr Jukes got?Mr Jukes will ask King Degsy who he wants to kick goals and who drops out of the 17,only Degsy knows this.

It's probably more true than ever that Derek needs to see results this year with the investment made. I would think he'll be watching this one very closely to see how it develops. The appointment is a good thing in that existing employees keep their employment.

I hope in his first press conference he clarifies what his stance is on Claphams!!! The fans need to know!

Quote ="Nozzy"Boll*cks. Derek is loud and outspoken. Koukash is loud and outspoken. People seem to think that means that Derek has the same attitude to Rugby League matters as Koukash does. Rowley has always been the one to pick signings and pick the team. Once the coach identifies a player, no doubt in conjunction with Derek, then Beaumont goes out to try and make it happen. I have heard nothing at all over the past 3 seasons to suggest that Derek is involved in choosing signings or has ever stuck his nose into the dressing room. People seem to see DB and MK as one and the same but in terms of involvement in the day to day business they seem fundamentally different. The amount of people clambering to try and stick the boot into DB over Rowley's resignation is laughable. I get that people outside Leigh don't like him and I get why. But the interpretation of Derek's involvement in matters directly relating to what happens on the pitch is way off the mark. Nobody would ever tell Rowley who he is signing or who to pick in his 17. I expect nothing different from Jukesy.'" I find it amazing that you use the example of Koucash and yet ignore the obvious comparisons. Quote "The 47-year-old former St Helens full-back steps up from the role of assistant to succeed his fellow countryman Matt Parish, who resigned for personal reasons a week ago after less than six months in charge of the Reds." '" www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... alford-job How many Salford coaches have left due to "Personal Reasons" Derek is Koucash with little person syndrome.

Quote ="Nozzy"Boll*cks. Derek is loud and outspoken. Koukash is loud and outspoken. People seem to think that means that Derek has the same attitude to Rugby League matters as Koukash does. Rowley has always been the one to pick signings and pick the team. Once the coach identifies a player, no doubt in conjunction with Derek, then Beaumont goes out to try and make it happen. I have heard nothing at all over the past 3 seasons to suggest that Derek is involved in choosing signings or has ever stuck his nose into the dressing room. People seem to see DB and MK as one and the same but in terms of involvement in the day to day business they seem fundamentally different. The amount of people clambering to try and stick the boot into DB over Rowley's resignation is laughable. I get that people outside Leigh don't like him and I get why. But the interpretation of Derek's involvement in matters directly relating to what happens on the pitch is way off the mark. Nobody would ever tell Rowley who he is signing or who to pick in his 17. I expect nothing different from Jukesy.'" I find it amazing that you use the example of Koucash and yet ignore the obvious comparisons. Quote "The 47-year-old former St Helens full-back steps up from the role of assistant to succeed his fellow countryman Matt Parish, who resigned for personal reasons a week ago after less than six months in charge of the Reds." '" www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... alford-job How many Salford coaches have left due to "Personal Reasons" Derek is Koucash with little person syndrome.

Matt Parish left long before Dr Koukash was heard of in rugby league circles.

Out of any coach leaving for 'personal reasons' none of them have declared that they won't be saying anything further ' in private '.

Well that goes to show you what a fine young man Paul Rowley is.

Quote ="Nat (Rugby_Aholic)"I find it amazing that you use the example of Koucash and yet ignore the obvious comparisons. www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... alford-job How many Salford coaches have left due to "Personal Reasons" Derek is Koucash with little person syndrome.'" Erm...that article is from 2 years before Koukash took over I'm sure lots of coaches have left lots of clubs citing 'personal reasons'. It is a nice vague statement that doesn't have to expand on the details. Koukash and Derek do have a lot in common. I don't think that their involvement in their respective clubs is one of them. Of course I am sure that the Halifax fans know much more about how Derek works at the club than the people in Leigh. You should just be glad you've kept Coach of the Year in Marshall. Hopefully he does better than the previous Coach of the Year Paul Cooke. Sacked midway through the season and Donny relegated. Hope Marshall doesn't turn out to be a one season wonder as well...

Quote ="Nat (Rugby_Aholic)"I find it amazing that you use the example of Koucash and yet ignore the obvious comparisons. www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... alford-job How many Salford coaches have left due to "Personal Reasons" Derek is Koucash with little person syndrome.'" Erm...that article is from 2 years before Koukash took over I'm sure lots of coaches have left lots of clubs citing 'personal reasons'. It is a nice vague statement that doesn't have to expand on the details. Koukash and Derek do have a lot in common. I don't think that their involvement in their respective clubs is one of them. Of course I am sure that the Halifax fans know much more about how Derek works at the club than the people in Leigh. You should just be glad you've kept Coach of the Year in Marshall. Hopefully he does better than the previous Coach of the Year Paul Cooke. Sacked midway through the season and Donny relegated. Hope Marshall doesn't turn out to be a one season wonder as well...

The two year gap is just a technicality. I still blame Koukash..........

Well .... that's my credibility done for. Taxi!

Definitely the right decision.